When this game dropped in our inbox, I was hyped. A combination between manga and a vania game? Sounded like a match made in heaven. Right? Right..? Right…? Well, it’s neither a game about manga nor a vania game. Still, I had a lot of fun with this title, so let’s jump in and find out what Mangavania is all about!
Mangavania
So, even though the title might show something else entirely, Mangavania is a pixel art action platformer game that invites players to embark on an exciting adventure with Yuhiko, a young ninja determined to find a cure for his brother in the underworld. Initially developed for the mobile phone platform, this platformer offers a range of exciting features, including exploring intricate dungeons and unlocking new abilities such as the sword, bow, double jump, wall climbing, dashing, and ledge hanging. In addition, players can expect to encounter various monsters and bosses with every level designed as Metroidvania (with no actual Metroidvania gameplay), each requiring unique skills to defeat. Along the way, players can also free lost souls and discover hidden Spirits who offer valuable advice and insights through engaging storytelling.
Gameplay
Each level can be completed in your playstyle, with upgrades helping you to make the level completion faster and even the option to speedrun the whole game. The quicker you complete a level, the more gems you get to buy items and upgrades. Most levels don’t take much time to complete and follow the standard mobile game build-up you know from level screens in Angry Bird and the likes.
Art-wise, the pixelated style feels at home with the Nintendo Switch, and the black/white tones fit the manga-based outlook Mangavania is trying to mimic. Controls feels natural, and I haven’t encountered any levels or problems I couldn’t solve with some critical thinking. Upgrading Yuhiko makes some enemies better manageable and less killed by punch-punch. Even though the game advertises itself as Metroidvania, I could see this game working as Metroidvania when the levels are ‘pasted’ after each other. So maybe when Mangavania goes for a sequel, we might get some Metroidvania gameplay in the mix?
Conclusion
So, to conclude! Mangavania might lack the genre I usually get excited about, but the chance of pace made this game a pretty enjoyable experience. Even though it features less backtracking, the upgrades and speedrunning aspect made it fun and great for shorter gameplay sessions. So, if you like Metroidvania games, this one might be one to pick up – especially since it’s cheap.
